ment from
me. "That man is an infamous liar! I will tell him so to his face."

I was just about to burst into the room, when Sir Alexander resumed the
conversation.

"Who was this lad's mother?"

"A young person of the name of Rivers; the only daughter of a poor
curate, in Derbyshire. You know my brother's dissipated habits. He
enticed the girl from her peaceful home, and grief for her loss brought
the old father to his grave. This boy was the sole fruit of the
connection. The parents were never married."

"Is that a fact?"

"I have made every legal inquiry upon the subject; but, no proofs are
in existence of such an union between the parties."

"I can scarcely believe Edward guilty of such a villainous act!"

"Extravagant men of unsettled principles are not much troubled with
qualms of conscience. On his death-bed Edward repented of this act, and
recommended the child to my especial care and protection. His letter,
which I have by me, was couched in such moving terms, that I considered
myself bound in duty to do what I could for the boy, as he was not
answerable for the fault of the parents. I took him home the day his
mother was buried, and he has been an inmate of my house ever since."

"When he is out of his time, what do you intend doing for him?"

"I have not yet determined; perhaps, associate him with myself in the
office. There is, however, one stumbling-block in the way--the dislike
which exists between him and Theophilus."

"Ay, that might prove a formidable barrier to their mutual welfare.
By-the-by, what has become of Theophilus?"

"He was travelling on the continent. His last letter is dated from
Rome. He has been a great source of trouble and vexation to me, and is
constantly getting into scrapes by his gallantries, which you must
allow, Sir Alexander, is a family failing of the Monctons."

"His conduct lately has been such," said the baronet, in an angry
voice, "that it makes me blush that we bear the same name. It was to
speak to you on this painful subject that brought me to London."

"I know the circumstance to which you allude," said Mr. Moncton, in a
humble tone; "nor can I defend him; but, we must make allowances for
youth and indiscretion. We were young men ourselves once, Sir
Alexander."

"Thank Heaven! bad as I might be, no poor girl could accuse me of being
the cause of her ruin," cried the baronet, striking his hand
emphatically upon the table. "But this young scoundrel! while